' The Legend ' still has a schoolboy's passion for cricket : Kelkar

Mumbai : The batting legend's love-affair with the Wankhede Stadium started when Kelkar selected Tendulkar and his childhood chum Vinod Kambli for ball boy duties outside the boundary line. During the October 17, 1987 ODI between India and Zimbabwe, it was the first World Cup match that Sachin watched in a stadium.

It is often said that Tendulkar never forgets those who have made a contribution to his cricketing career. It was quite evident on Saturday as the batting maestro immediately recognised Kelkar, and stopped for a while to exchange pleasantries. Kelkar, on administrative duty at the Mumbai Cricket Association for the Indian Premier League, praised Tendulkar's down-to-earth nature in spite of all the fame and adulation. "This is his greatness (Tendulkar). I haven't done anything great (giving him an opportunity to be a ball boy), but he doesn't forget the smallest of the things," Kelkar told MiD DAY.

According to Kelkar, only under-16 boys 'qualified' for ball boy duties, but he was keen on recruiting Tendulkar and Kambli because of their exploits in inter-school matches. "I see the same thrill and expression on his face that I saw when he first entered this stadium. Cricket is his only life," Kelkar signed off.

" The Legend ' releases book on him published by The Hindu group

CHANDIGARH : ' The Legend ' on Tuesday released a book published on him by The Hindu group of publications at a function at the Mumbai Indians team hotel. 

Titled 'Sachin - A Tribute To The Legend,' is a fine collection of all the published reports of all the matches in which Tendulkar scored his 100 international tons. Besides, it has some rare pictures of the veteran batsman and a range of interesting statistics. 

Tendulkar expressed his gratitude to the newspaper after releasing the book on his 39th birthday. 

"It gives me immense pleasure to launch this book. All the efforts taken by The Hindu mean a lot to me. Over the years I have made lot of friends and they are dear ones. 

"Our friendship has grown in a similar manner as The Hindu has grown. I cherish each and every moment I have shared with them," said Tendulkar flanked by MI coach Robin Singh and captain Harbhajan Singh. 

The book was conceptualised after Tendulkar scored his 100th international century in the Asia Cup against Bangladesh in Mirpur on March 16. 

"Reading various articles and opinions (in The Hindu) has played an important role in my career. I want to take this opportunity to thank you for putting this book together in a matter of few weeks. It's a mammoth effort and thank you very much," said Tendulkar. 

The CEO of The Hindu group, Arun Anant, in a letter explained the concept behind publishing the book. 

"We thought this would be a fine gesture to have this book released by you on your birthday, April 24. We feel that this book will be a fitting tribute to your unparalleled contribution to the game, making India and the international cricket community proud," said Anant.

SACHIN TENDULKAR - ' The Legend ' of Cricket

Sachin Ramesh Tendulkar (born 24 April 1973) is an Indian cricketer. He holds several batting records, including the most Test centuries and the most one-day international centuries, and was rated in 2002 by Wisden as the second greatest Test batsman ever, after Sir Don Bradman. He received the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, India’s highest sporting honour, for 1997-1998, and the civilian award Padma Shri in 1999. Tendulkar was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1997.